Former President John Agyekum Kufuor Turns 80 Today

His Excellency Former President John Agyekum Kufuor is celebrating his 80 birthday today, December 8, 2018.

Mr Kufuor was born on December 8, 1938 in Dabaah near Kumasi in the Ashanti region.

He was the seventh child of ten children of Nana Kwadwo Agyekum and Nana Ama Dapaah.

Mr Kufuor is married to Theresa Kufuor and they are blessed with five children, Saah Kufuor, Owusu Afriyie Kufuor, Nana Ama Gyamfi, Agyekum Kufuor and J. Addo Kufuor.

He was the second president of the fourth republic of Ghana and served two four-year terms.

Mr Kufuor exited office in 2009.

He was elected as the chairman of the African Union between January 30, 2007 and January 31, 2008.

Under his leadership, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) was implemented to cater for the health needs of citizens, replacing the ‘cash-and-carry’ system.

He also introduced the capitation grant for school children at the basic level, and started the Ghana School Feeding Programme for pupils in public primary schools.

Mr Kufuor has many accolades including: The Knight Commander of the Order of Bath of the UK, conferred by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and Order of the House of Orange, conferred by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

President Kufuor presently serves as a senior statesman in the country.